Everything you need to know about eyelash...

Curled eyelashes help make our eyes look bigger, brighter and (dare we say it) younger. They help to emphasise one of our most beautiful features – our eyes. So, what’s a girl to do when she’s inherited short, straight lashes? Thankfully, there are options.

You can go down the make-up route, using eyelash curlers and mascara to give you the appearance of curlier lashes. This works well, but there are times when this approach isn’t ideal – for example, when you’re on holiday and you don’t want to spend hours applying make-up.

In these cases, (or if you simply want a longer-lasting solution) you may want to consider eyelash perming. Using a similar process to hair perming, this involves applying chemicals to the eyelashes to curl them. The curl in your lashes will last anywhere from four weeks to three months (the life cycle of eyelashes is between 60 and 120 days).

What is involved?

Your lashes will be coated with an adhesive and then wrapped around mini foam rollers or heated clips. This holds them in the correct position. While your eyes are shut, a perming solution will be applied to your lashes with a small brush. This will be covered and left for around five minutes. After this has taken effect, a neutralising solution will be applied and left for another few minutes. This will then be removed and you’ll be left with curly lashes.

What are the risks?

Applying chemicals near the eye can understandably be risky – so it is important to ensure you are getting the treatment done by a professional who has had the appropriate training. The chemicals are safe when used the right way, however to ensure you do not have any adverse reactions, your beautician should carry out a patch test 24 hours before your appointment. If you suffer from any allergic reaction, you will not be able to have the treatment.

To find out more about this treatment, please read our eyelash perming page.